D-Lab I — Shark to Lionfish (Trinidad and Tobago)
Winter 2018 - D-Lab I
The lionfish (Pterois volitans) is an invasive species in the Caribbean which poses a significant environmental, economic, and cultural threat to the nation Trinidad and Tobago. This study assesses the feasibility of a market-based approach of the lionfish problem using the four lenses of sustainability (Environment, Finance, Culture/Social, Technology). The study was requested by Kahlil Hassanali from our partner organization in Trinidad and Tobago, the Institute of Marine Affairs.
Read the final presentation
D-Lab II — Shark to Lionfish (Trinidad and Tobago)
Spring 2018 - D-Lab II
This is the continuation of the above project from D-Lab I
The Caribbean region is facing an environmental challenge regarding the invasion of lionfish (Pterois volitans). A lionfish trap is necessary for the market based approach to tackle this environmental concern. Lionfish fishing targeted for human consumption is a potential costeffective management solution and has been adopted in countries like the Bahamas, Jamaica, Belize and Bermuda. This approach is dependent on building a supply of lionfish meat to consumers. However, the ability to catch lionfish in large numbers is yet to be developed in T&T. The most common method for catching lionfish is via spearfishing, which makes the lionfish market dependent on highly skilled and well-trained few individuals. Therefore, we propose to develop prototypes of lionfish traps in D-LAB II to be tested by our partner organization in Trinidad and Tobago, the Institute of Marine Affairs. The proposed lionfish trap is an adaptation of a trap developed by NOAA, and it will be further discussed in this report.